Solidaridad West Africa is a not-for-profit organization that supports the sustainable development of farmers and production systems in West Africa, through the enhancement of value chains of fresh and processed agricultural commodities and other non-agricultural commodities.

Our activities in West Africa are focused on fresh fruits, oil palm, gold, cotton, maize, soy and cocoa. As the Regional Expertise Center (REC) within Solidaridads international network, we are part of a growing global movement advocating and supporting sustainable and responsible production and trade.

Solidaridad trains producers in best practices to produce more with less. We provide capacity building to producer organizations and enable them to access knowledge, inputs, finance and markets. We develop and promote the integration of good economic, social and environmental management into standard business and production practices.

Solidaridad's regional office is based in Accra, Ghana and currently has program activities and operations in Senegal, Mali, Cote DIvoire, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon

Job Summary

The position is a regionally recruited position and will be based in Accra, Ghana. The Operations Manager will report to the Director of Solidaridad West Africa. The position would be part of the regional management team.

Role description

•   As Solidaridad West Africa continues on a growth path with current staff strength of 51, the position would support directly the Regional Director to provide efficient management oversight of the RECs operations and programmes.
•   Candidates should be flexible to travel across the West Africa sub-region.

Main Responsibilities
Management/administration

•   Support the regional director for REC West Africa in the day to day operations of the REC.
•   Ensure that enquiries and correspondence to the MDs office are responded to in an appropriate and timely manner
•   Provide operational assistance and oversee logistical support for major events, meetings and conferences
•   Develop and periodically revise a database of regional donors and partners
•   Support the MD to promote SWAs image in the sub-region, through relationship management and sharing of SWAs communications and marketing materials with major stakeholders and partners
•   Oversee and ensure efficient administration of all REC office by developing and ensuring compliance of country offices to all standard operating procedures (includes HR/Finance and other operational directives issued periodically by the office of the REC director.

Finance/contracts/legal matters

•   Support and ensure that all fiduciary responsibilities required by the REC director such as annual audits, monthly accounts, periodic trial balance, financial accounting, reporting and documentation of all financial transactions relating to the RECs funds in line with standard financial regulations and practice are done timely
•   Be the main liaison between REC West Africa and its corporate legal advisors on all issues needing legal attention. In this role ensure that all SWA country offices are duly compliant in terms of labor laws and other contractual issues. Therefore the staff will ensure that each country of operations have a legal advisor (lawyer) with a memorandum of understanding on engagement.
•   Develop, maintain and continuously update database on all active contracts (programmatic and service across all countries) and advise the Director/appropriate commodity manager periodically on status of these contracts and what needs to be done (if any) and update

Programs/projects management

•   Assist the Director to prepare power point presentations for meetings and conferences
•   Be the liaison on all databases of projects at various stages of implementation in all offices of SWA in the sub-region
•   Support the development of actionable annual plan using the West African Multi annual Strategic Plan (MASP) as the basis
•   Provide continuous support to the director in identifying funding opportunities and pursuing such opportunities through the development of concept notes and project proposal with active participation of commodity line managers and M&E unit.
•   Participate in relevant local and international meetings related to programme implementation
•   Facilitate the development of partnerships with organizations, agencies, funders, private sector companies and others who are involved in the work of Solidaridad or promotes Solidaridads goals and objectives

Qualification Required & Experience

•   A second degree in International Development, Project/Program Management and/or its equivalent.
•   At least 5 years continuous working experience (preferably at management level)
•   Very good knowledge in NGO operations in one West African country
•   Must speak and write very good French and English (non-bilingual should not apply)

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

f you know someone who fit the candidate profile for the position and would like to apply please send him/her this advert to apply in writing to the Director (Solidaridad West Africa) expressing interest in the position plus a full updated CV emailed to:-

Ghana@solidaridadnetwork.org

Closing Date: 18 November, 2013

•   Women especially are encouraged to apply. The
•   position is open until a good candidate has been found.